US Patent 12067282 Write path selection

A storage system has NVRAM (nonvolatile random-access memory), storage memory that includes SLC (single level cell) flash memory and QLC (quad level cell) flash memory, and a processor. The processor performs a method that includes selecting one of a plurality of write paths for incoming data, and writing the incoming data via the selected write path. A first write path includes writing to NVRAM, writing from NVRAM to SLC flash memory and writing from SLC flash memory to QLC flash memory. A second write path includes writing to NVRAM and writing from NVRAM to QLC flash memory, bypassing SLC flash memory. A third write path includes writing to SLC flash memory, bypassing NVRAM, and writing from SLC flash memory to QLC flash memory.